CBI convicts Bihar former Minister and four others in Bitumen Scam Case-OxBig News Network

A file image of former Bihar Minister Mohammad Illiyas Hussain

Five accused including Mohammad Illiyas Hussain, then Minister, Government Bihar (undivided Bihar) sentenced to three years of RI (Rigorous Imprisonment) with fine of ₹32 lakh each in Bitumen Scam case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In the instant case FIR was registered on the basis of complaint on August 6, 1996 under sections 120b, 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 474, and 477 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 13(2) 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act 1988.

Also read: Ex-Minister sentenced in Bihar bitumen scam

The case is related to alleged transportation of bulk Bitumen from Haldia to Road Construction Department (RCD) Hazaribagh via Barauni. Investigation revealed that no Bitumen was transported at all.

Transporter uplifted Bitumen from Haldia and sold it in the open market at Kolkata and also claimed transportation charges.

Along with Hussain, the four others who have been convicted and sentenced include Shahbuddin Baigh, Pawan Kumar Agarwal , Ashok Kumar Agarwal and Vinay Kumar Sinha. Seven accused have been acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Hussain was Minister for Road Construction when Lalu Prasad was Chief Minister of the State. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislator from Dehri in Rohtas district of Bihar had lost membership of the State Assembly after he was convicted in the scam by the CBI court.

The ₹1.57 crore bitumen scam had surfaced in 1997 and the Patna High Court handed over the case to the CBI.